Page 55 of Cherished Union

I shrug. Things like that don’t affect me like they would anyone else. The man chose to get into the ring with me knowing that I have killed multiple people in it in the past. He took that risk. I never force anyone to fight me. I know the monster I become once I step into the ring. I’m unstoppable, and I’ll not apologize for it.

Tonight, I need to unleash some of my anger. It’s been over a month since we lost Kilian and Viviana, and the rage that I feel over that hasn’t been unleashed. I know there’s only one person who will alleviate it for good, and that’s Garrant, when I kill him. But until then, I’m going to beat the shit out of whoever steps into the ring with me and then call out Craig, who’s sitting in the audience tonight, enjoying the show.

Stepping out of the locker room and toward the doors that lead to the arena, I hear the MC start his usual spiel as he introduces me. “Guys, get your women because they’re about to go wild. It’s the one, the only, it’s the motherfuckingAssassin.”

The doors open and the crowd goes wild, the roars, cheers, and squeals welcoming me back. It’s like coming home. That noise sends a chill to my spine. It’s what I used to live for back when I was a grunt working for my father. Now, I don’t need it. It’s not what I live for—that would be my woman and my men. I’m the boss. But hearing it never fails to astound me.

I climb into the ring, my gaze going around the arena, my eyes searching for one person and one person only. Craig.

“Tonight, we have a special request. Someone is eager to go up against the Assassin,” the MC announces. “This man thinks he has what it takes to go against the greatest fighter who has ever graced these rings. But we’re here to let him have a go. Tonight, Craig Thomas has a score to settle, and we here at The Cage live to see it.”

I glance at Hayes and see the fucker’s wearing a giant smile. While we knew I’d be fighting this bastard by the end of the night, we didn’t expect it to be now. But the way I’m feeling, it’ll only take a few rounds before he’s on the floor with his tongue down the back of his throat.

“Surprised?” Craig says as he comes to stand in the middle of the ring.

I chuckle. “Not in the fucking slightest. Your ass was always going to be in this ring. You’ve just saved a few men tonight, that’s all.”

“You’re a fucking liar, Gallagher. There was no way you knew I was here.”

I chuckle. Seriously? Garrant has this fucking idiot working for him? “I’m a fucking god here, Craig. Everyone here is willing to be on my good side.”

He grinds his jaw, pissed that he didn’t realize he was walking into a trap. The second he set foot in this place, I knew.

The bell rings and we go at it. It’s hard, fast, and ferocious. Unlike me, Craig hasn’t been trained proficiently. His shots are wild and uncoordinated. It’s great for me as I’m dodging them and hitting him back.

He’s outclassed, outmatched, and making a damn fool of himself. He’s not a fighter. He shouldn’t even be in the ring with me. It’s an insult to the fighters that have put in the work, who train hard and want the shot at taking me down—not that they ever would, but those men deserve to have a shot, not this schmuck.

My fist connects with his jaw, and it sends his ass to the canvas. His eyes are wide and glassy, but he manages—albeit on wobbly legs—to get up and be ready to go again.

Fucker’s not giving up, I’ve got to hand it to him. Many would have hit the canvas and not gotten back up, knowing they were getting their ass handed to them and they ran the risk of dying if it continued.

The crowd goes wild as I send him spiraling to the floor once more. They know I’m out for blood. This fuck is going to die if he gets back up again.

Of course he fucking does. He’s a Pitbull and doesn’t know when enough is enough.

“Tell your father I said hello,” I tell him as I land a solid blow to his kidneys.

“Bastard,” he wheezes. “You killed him, you cunt.”

I chuckle. Of course I fucking did. He put my sister in jail and fucked up her life. Death was an easy out for him, and he deserved to suffer so much more. “You chose the wrong side, Craig. Soon, there’ll not be a single Masters fucker around to tell the tale of how they fucked up by going against the Gallaghers, but it’ll serve as a reminder to anyone else who tries it.”

He gives me a bloody smile. He’s missing a few teeth, his gum shield long gone. “You’ll never get them.”

I cock my fist back. “Don’t be so sure. We’ve got the rest of them. Those two will be gone in no time. Be sure to say hi to your da for me.” My fist smashes into his jaw and the fucker crumbles to the ground.

“Bro,” Hayes says, amusement lacing his voice. “That fucker’s swallowed his tongue. They’re trying to pry his jaw open, but it’s smashed to pieces.”

I turn and pin my brother with a glare. Do I look like I need a running commentary on what’s happening right in front of my eyes?

“Oh, by the way, my wife is with yours.”

“What?” I snarl. “Why?” Addie doesn’t know Annemarie all that well, and if she upsets my wife, God fucking help her.

“Chill the fuck out, man,” he snaps. “She’s with Jade too. I know how protective you are of her, but Annemarie isn’t going to hurt her. She’s been wanting to get to know her. She hears how great she is from Jade and Ma.”

“Whatever,” I respond, still unsure of what Annemarie actually wants from her. I still don’t trust her.

“He’s still unbeaten. It’s the motherfucking Assassin,” the MC roars, and the crowd goes wild as the medics try to pry Craig’s jaw open to pull his tongue out. It’s no use. He’s no longer breathing.

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